HHS News

The Pender County Health Department is encouraging residents to take the necessary precautions to prevent mosquito bites because recent weather conditions have created an environment for mosquitoes to thrive. Mosquitoes carry diseases such as the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV).

EEE can occur in humans and horses and was recently identified in a donkey in a neighboring county with onset of July 21st, 2018. EEE is a rare disease in both horses and humans but is one of the most severe mosquito-transmitted diseases in the United States, with approximately 33% mortality in humans, and significant brain damage in those that survive.

Symptoms in people develop from 4 to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Infection can result in mild or serious symptoms. The less serious form is characterized by a rapid onset of chills, fever, headache, and joint/muscle pain which lasts for 1 to 2 weeks, followed by complete recovery. The serious form progresses into additional symptoms such as irritability, restlessness, drowsiness, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, a bluish tinge to the skin, convulsions, and even coma. Survivors of this serious form of EEE may suffer from long-term effects to the nervous system. Persons under age 15 and over age 50 are at greatest risk of developing severe disease. Therapy can treat the symptoms of the disease but there is no specific cure. There is a vaccine for horses to prevent EEE but not for humans.

West Nile Virus is mainly a disease of birds but can sometimes infect people, horses and other animals. Most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms at all. Some people will have mild symptoms while others may develop serious disease that can include high fever, convulsions, paralysis and, in some cases, lasting neurological effects. People who develop symptoms of severe WNV illness, such as unusually severe headaches or confusion, should seek medical attention immediately. Severe WNV illness usually requires hospitalization. About 1 in 5 people who are infected will develop a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Most people with this type of West Nile virus disease recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months. There has been one death from WNV in North Carolina already this year.

Pender County Health Department’s Mosquito and Vector Control Division is actively spraying for adult mosquitoes in the county and will continue to do so until mosquito populations are reduced. The best defense against EEE and WNV infection and other mosquito-borne diseases is to avoid mosquito bites. Pender County’s Environmental Health Director, Vence Dodge urges residents to take the following precautions:

To make your home and yard less mosquito friendly, pour out any standing water, and remove any containers that can hold water, such as, barrels, tires, old cans, and wading pools; change water in bird baths and pet bowls at least twice a week.

Keep gutters clean and in good repair.

Repair leaky outdoor faucets and replace window and door screens that have rips or tears.

For standing water around homes that can’t be eliminated consider purchasing larvicide tablets, also known as mosquito dunks, or come to the health department for some that are available free of charge.

Avoid outdoor activities during peak mosquito biting hours (from one hour before to one hour after dusk and dawn); wear long pants, shoes, socks, and long-sleeved shirts if outdoors around twilight.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend several repellents against mosquitoes – DEET, picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus. Consumers should look for products that contain the CDC-recommended ingredients and should read and follow all label instructions.

If you own horses consult with your veterinarian regarding the proper vaccinations and change the water in water troughs at least twice a week to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds

For more information regarding mosquitoes or mosquito control in your areas please contact Pender County Health Department Mosquito and Vector Control Division at 910-259-1326.

Early this morning water service had been unexpectedly interrupted for the island portion of Surf City.

The Surf City Police Chief said water has been restored, but there is a 48-hour boil water advisory in effect, because the water system lost pressure last night.

This is the latest update from The Surf City Police Department, “This is the Town of Surf City notifying you that there was an unexpected issue with water line maintenance associated with the new bridge. Water service has been restored, however, there is a precautionary boil water advisory currently in effect for your area from Sea Oaks Drive on the mainland onto the Island. Those on the ONWASA are not affected. You will be notified when the boil water advisory has been lifted. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.”

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Health Department at (910) 259-1230

RECALL ALERT, CHECK YOUR PANTRIES! Some popular foods have recently been put on the recall list by the FDA. Including Ritz Crackers, Goldfish, Swiss Rolls and more. Click the link below to get the full list and specific details.

Prinston Pharmaceutical Inc Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Valsartan and Valsartan HCTZ Tablets Due to Detection of a Trace Amount of Unexpected Impurity, N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in The Products.

Prinston Pharmaceutical Inc. dba Solco Healthcare LLC. is recalling all lots of Valsartan Tablets, 40 mg, 80mg, 160mg, and 320mg; and Valsartan-Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets, 80mg/12.5mg, 160mg/12.5mg, 160mg/25mg, 320mg/12.5mg, and 320mg/25mg to the retail level. This product recall is due to the detection of a trace amount of an unexpected impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), made by the manufacturer – Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. — that is used in the manufacture of the subject product lots. This impurity has been classified as a probable human carcinogen as per International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classification.

Caito Foods is voluntarily recalling fresh cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe and fresh-cut mixed fruit containing one of these melons, produced at the Caito Foods facility in Indianapolis, because these products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Use or consumption of products contaminated with Salmonella may result in serious illness. It can also produce serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals infected with Salmonella can experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Reports of illnesses linked to these products are under investigation, and Caito Foods is voluntarily recalling the products out of an abundance of caution. The company has been advised by the CDC that it has linked 58 illnesses to the strain of Salmonella under investigation. Caito Foods has ceased producing and distributing these products as the company and FDA continue their investigation.

The products were packaged in clear, plastic clamshell containers and distributed in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio.

Because it is possible that products shipped between April 17 and June 7, 2018 could still be on store shelves, this recall extends to both retailers and consumers.

Pender County conducts a Community Health Assessment every four years to identify the health status, concerns and resources of the community as part of a strategic health planning process. Please join us to learn more about the health of your community and provide your input!

Illnesses from mosquito, tick, and flea bites have tripled in the U.S., with more than 640,000 cases reported during the 13 years from 2004 through 2016. Nine new germs spread by mosquitoes and ticks were discovered or introduced into the United States during this time.

These findings are in the latest Vital Signs(https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/index.html) report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is CDC’s first summary collectively examining data trends for all nationally notifiable diseases caused by the bite of an infected mosquito, tick, or flea. It provides detailed information on the growing burden of mosquito-borne and tickborne illnesses in the U.S.

“Zika, West Nile, Lyme, and chikungunya—a growing list of diseases caused by the bite of an infected mosquito, tick, or flea—have confronted the U.S. in recent years, making a lot of people sick. And we don’t know what will threaten Americans next,” said CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, M.D. “Our Nation’s first lines of defense are state and local health departments and vector control organizations, and we must continue to enhance our investment in their ability to fight against these diseases.”

Rose Acre farms has issued the largest egg recall since 2010 after multiple salmonella illnesses in several states. NC is affected by the recalls and the illnesses. These eggs were sold direct to consumers, in store brand containers, but also in cases direct to food establishments. The full recall notice is below.

All teenagers can be moody from time to time, but for some kids, sadness, fatigue or anxiety could be signs of depression. In this public service announcement from the American Academy of Pediatrics, Shelly Flais, MD, FAAP, offers advice for parents who may be concerned about their teen. Depression can be treated. For more information on suicide prevention, visit HealthyChildren.org.

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SPECIAL NEEDS REGISTRY FORM

Please click the above icon (or here) for Pender County’s Special Needs Registry Form! Downloading the form to your computer will ensure proper functionality as it is a secure form.

CodeRed

Pender County is pleased to announce our new Emergency Notification System, CodeRed.
CodeRed enables the Pender County Office of Emergency Management on alert the citizens, of Pender County, of any impending emergency situations in their area.

Please use the button below to Opt-In (register) for this service. In addition, you may also logon to your account if you have already registered.